I am scheduled for May

[Allison 2]

Thanks!!!!! Ahough I've been cheating a bit when it comes to all the rules regarding liquids and such with dinner... I take a sip or two, hopefully I'll ween myself off eventually. Hang in there! You've done so great so far that scale will be at 199 before you know it! :smile2:

[amsderb 1]

Hey you all! Sorry it has been awhile....I've still been hanging out in the mountains...Shelly have fun on the cruise!!!

Allison, you aredoing so great!!!! Sorry about the $'s but if you had known first you may not have had the surgery...so it will be worth it...

Did I tell you all that they finally gave me a shot for the rash and it is GONE!!! I can NOT believe that I suffered for like 6 weeks and the whole time I thought can't we try a steroid shot?

I go back to my NEW dermatologist on Monday...along with the foot dr appt too because I fell 2 weeks ago and BROKE my foot...now I am in a walking boot....My theory is, While you have met all your deductables...go to as many specialists as you can! I am kidding of course, but that has just been my whole summer off from school...going to the doctor!!!

I am officially back at school on Tuesday...UGH!!! I am taking a class this week for school and tomarrow after class (Friday) I am heading up to the cabin for one last escape BEFORE reporting back to school...I am just lucky I have had a cool place to be...it was 112 today and I have this dang walking boot up to my knee on!!!

As for the band...I go to the dr. Thursday for my 2nd fill. All total. I think since surgery I have only lost about 20 pounds which considering I have had every rash and not been able to really exercise...especially now for like 6 more weeks with my foot thing... is acceptable.

I sorta dread showing up to school because for the people who know about my surgery they will be like..."ooh, are you skinny yet?" If someone asks me that I think I will reply. "I sure am!" I mean, in my head I believe I will be so why not say yes??

Take care all...I'll be better about posting when I stay in town....

Happy August! Shelley

[bandfan1 0]

Bizzy Bee, you are doing great!!

I was at a plateau that seemed like FOREVER!!!!! Finally the scale has started to move again!! My weight loss has been MUCH slower than I have anticipated, but I have to stay positive....slow and steady wins the race.

Not sure if I've hit my "sweet spot" yet. I will request another fill on October 6th when I see the doctor.

I have stepped up the exercise and I feel that it is helping a lot!!!

I have learned that even though I have a band, discipline and good choices are key!! It seems that all the "bad" food goes down the easiest!!!

I hope that all of my fellow May bandsters are doing well.

Keep up the good work!!!

[jbflorida 1]

Hi Bandfan and my fellow May banders....

Can you believe it is 5 months? We have to keep this in mind as

we plug along. Day by day, week by week, pound by pound, it adds up. Think about how we'll look and feel at our bandiversary!

As of this AM, I am down....60 pounds!! I want to lose 17 more. And that may take the next 5 months, but think of the good habits we are developing. This is not a diet; this is our new life.

Best Wishes to everyone....Judy

217/157/140

5/13/08 surg

[bandfan1 0]

Congratulations JBFlorida!!

I think that the closer we get to our "goal" weight, the longer it may take. YOu have a great attitude about it.

Has the entire 60lb loss been since May 13th, or does it include pre-op? If so, that is unbelievable!!!

My 30lbs has only been since my surgery date. I was not on a pre-op diet and didn't keep track of my weight prior to my surgery.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress!!

[jbflorida 1]

I lost 13 pn the preop---2 weeks of Optifast.

I am fortunate that I am retired--almost 5 years--and live in an active adult community near Tampa, FL. There are a bizillion fitness things to do. Just this AM, I went to a Weights/Power class for an hour and then did one hour of TaiChi (with some yoga thrown in). Yesterday was Zumba and the Elliptical. And last night--dancing at the club here!

Although we have to make good food choices, I think Exercise is an important part of our health.

30 lbs is significant! Go for it! There's no question in my mind that if we CHOOSE it, we'll ACHIEVE it.

[globally yours 0]

Hey JB, I just ordered some Zumba DVDs. Wanna try them. Do you enjoy Zumba?

We gotta all hang in there, slow and steady wins the race!

[jbflorida 1]

Zumba is fun fun fun! Just put that DVD on and shake what you have left. I do it in a room with about 30 ladies and we just dance and have a good time!

It can be challenging at first--pace yourself. It's easy now!

[globally yours 0]

thanks for the input JB. Will let you know when we get it!

[mominlv13 1]

I love Zumba!!! I go every Saturday at the gym. We have a great time!! It is soooooooooo much fun and there are all shapes and sizes in the class. I shake my booty and have fun doing it too!!!

Fran

xo

[globally yours 0]

eeeeeeeeeeeeee. I can´t wait for the DVDs to come!

[Bizzy Bee 1]

HEY!! I am finally back. Had internet problems but since have gotten Wild Blue, wish me luck with that. Oh the joys of living rural. I have had a great back to school and it's now almost the end of 1st quarter!!!! Where does the time go? I am doing great with the band. Have had 2 stuck episodes at school. Not pleasant. One time I had a kids counselor in the room and had to excuse myself to bring whatever it was back up. I am more careful now. I am hoping to be in onderland by Thanksgiving which now seems totally doable!!!!! This has been a great and exciting journey! Clothing myself is a bit of an issue. I bought a few really nice outfits to wear and now they are outgrowing me. I'll try to stay dressed with cheaper clothes for awhile. AND I AM HALF WAY TO GOALLLL!!!

Allison - How are you?

Shelley - How is your year going?

Everyone - I have missed you all!!!

[kamicola 1]

Hi everyone... I haven't posted in like forever, just busy! Anyhow... I just had myt 4 month bandiversary on the 27th of September and am down 50 pounds! I got my first tattoo to celebrate! I feel great, but am going to get another fill next weekend to bring my up to probably 7ccs in my 10cc band as I can eat pretty much anything. I did find these terrific noodles at an asian store... they are Yam noodles and have zero calories and zero everything.... they take on the flavor of anything you put on them... so they are bulk, but no calories... they are cheap at an asian store, but very expensive online... sold as Miracle Noodles.... go to an asian store... they have a fishy scent when you open them.... but rinse them and no fishy flavor.... actually a neutral taste. They are a raw food and are packed in a liquid. Just thought I would pass this info on as a way to save calories if you need to! I am loving life! Hope all of you are doing well!

Kammi in Everett, WA

DOB 5/27/08

335+/285/180

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico self pay

[bandfan1 0]

Kammi: Congratulations on your success!! It is so nice to follow my fellow May bandsters and read all of the success stories!! I am due for another fill on Monday. I think that this will be the "one"!!! I am looking forward to being in onederland by Christmas!!!

[amsderb 1]

Hi everyone!!! So glad to hear from Bizzy Bee and Kammi....ok...you too Bandfan...ha ha...just so you others know, we talk on the phone with each other!

Anyway, I was starting to get frustrated with this because I did so well before surgery...I kept saying I knew the "tool" would not be fully there for awhile until restriction etc...

Well, today, after being on liquids because of my fill friday....I finally think the scale is going to move, and I am going to get this going! My ticker has been sitting at the same place forever.....some days I would go down - then others up....well, I do believe that in the morning I will be at my all time low since 2000.

This will help me be motivated and stay on track! I also think I am going to have some restriction finally....

As for life in general, I do still have skin issues...so, still trying to find the answers to that....

School is going...I can not believe we are on Fall break on Wednesday and the first quarter is over! Only 3 left!!!

What I find amazing is that I started this journey basically last December when I told myself, "This is it...it is your body and life...etc" That is when I paid for a full membership for my "program" at inches - a- weigh.....I am paid up through like next year...then I went to my endocronologist in late December and we decided that I should look into weight loss surgery....did not even know if banding was an option with my insurance and school district (they only just started covering banding in March of 2008! Talk about timing...my file was ready Feb. 26th to be submitted!)

So, what I am getting at, is here I am... One year ago today, I was frustrated and ignoring that I needed to loose weight...wanted to, just did not know how to even begin....I had tried Jenny Craig in Aug/Sept of last year and by October was just FRUSTRATED!!!! Over October break last year I remember thinking...it was hopeless...

So, here I am....50 plus pounds lighter from last year...just now reaching restriction (I hope!)

With many good habits instead of the old ones...

Yes, I am happier...a bit itchier.....BUT...I am proud that I have come this far and I know...this really is only the beginning....

So THANK YOU to all my Band Buddies for your love and support because as we all know, it is the support that makes this work!

Be Well! LOVE Shelley